Pacific Coast Scenic Byway - Oregon
Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuges, OR

With its remarkable vistas and superb recreational opportunities, the Oregon coast attracts millions of visitors each year. However, few are aware of the National Wildlife Refuges that span 320 miles of the rugged coastline. The Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex comprises six National Wildlife Refuges protecting a variety of coastal habitats.

Stretching from Tillamook Head south to the California border, three of the refuges are marine and three are estuarine. The marine refuges (Oregon Islands, Cape Meares, Three Arch Rocks) protect coastal rocks, reefs, islands and several headland areas. These habitats support some of the most important seabird nesting colonies in the United States. Over a million seabirds, including common murres, tufted puffins, cormorants, and storm-petrels nest here. Coastal rocks provide breeding and haul-out sites for harbor seals and Steller and California sea lions.

The three estuarine refuges (Siletz Bay, Nestucca Bay, Bandon Marsh) preserve a very different, but equally valuable, habitat. These habitats include saltmarsh, brackish marsh, riparian wetlands and wooded uplands. They offer sanctuary to a diverse array of fish and wildlife, including waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, small mammals, amphibians, and anadromous fish.